DSWD warns public vs scam messages offering fake cash aid

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday warned the public against scammers pretending to be DSWD representatives supposedly offering cash aid in exchange for personal information.

In a statement, the DSWD said the scam messages are circulated through text messages and Facebook Messenger, with promises of financial assistance ranging from P6,500 to P8,500.

However, the con artists require victims to send their full name, contact number, and home address for their supposed inclusion in one of the aid programs of the agency.

The DSWD warned that in some cases, scammers also require the victims to grant them access to their GCash account, allowing the perpetrators to siphon money from their victims.

DSWD spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said such messages are fraudulent and unauthorized by the DSWD.

“These messages are clearly a scam. The DSWD does not randomly select beneficiaries through text messages or private chat. And we do not ask the public to provide personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, or one-time passwords (OTPs) to receive assistance,” Dumlao said.

She recalled that similar fraudulent messages surged during the Christmas holidays last year.

Dumlao stressed that the DSWD’s assistance programs, such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), follow a clear process and are implemented by the agency’s social workers and development staff.

“All official announcements regarding DSWD programs are released only through our verified channels. If an offer sounds too easy or asks for sensitive information, that is already a red flag,” she said.

Dumlao urged the public to verify information about the DSWD’s programs through its official website, www.dswd.gov.ph and official Facebook page, facebook.com/dswdserves.

She also encouraged victims of scams to report such cases to the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) and to notify the DSWD through its official channels. — JMA, GMA Integrated News